Latest reviews

Toni King reviewed: Beginners Soap Making Course

"What a fabulous day. Paula is so knowledgeable and is open to sharing thoughts and experiences. I went with my teenage daughter, who learnt so much and enjoyed the experience of actually doing the processes. I cannot recommend this course enough, you will not be disappointed. Recommend you bring a pen to make notes. "

Simon reviewed: Creating a Viking knife an introduction to forging and knife making at Bearded Pig Forge

"Fantastic day spent with Spike, who is a patient and knowledgeable tutor. Great to come away with a finished piece of work too. Would thoroughly recommend."

Tracy and Chris reviewed: Make a Tiffany stained glass tea light

"Our class was at the Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet which was a lovely studio. The whole day was a great experience and very enjoyable. There was good, clear instruction from Kate, with further support where needed. We were amazed with the tea light holders everyone produced. A brilliant day. "

Martin McAssey Glass responded:

"Thank you for the lovely review."

Antony reviewed: Cracket Stool made with hand tools for beginners

"This was an excellent experience, Andrew is a considerate and helpful teacher with a gentle and dedicated passion for his craft. The workshop site is rural and remote in the heart of a rewilded quarry with loads of wildlife around and about. I'm so pleased with my cracket stool which looks amazing even as a first time 'furniture maker'. The other two students on the course also said to have had a fab time. Can very confidently recommend this course to anyone (although there may be some accessibility issues for anyone with very limited mobility - steps and uneven ground)"

Audrey reviewed: Make a Tiffany stained glass tea light

"I really enjoyed the day and learnt lots of skills under the expert tuition of Kate, and I'm very pleased with the Tiffany Tealight that I was able to make. Thank you. "

Martin McAssey Glass responded:

"Thank you for the review."

Annie Garcia reviewed: Soap Making for Beginners

"Diane and her course is fantastic. I had her whole attention and I found this just so special. I could ask any question, nothing was too much trouble for Diane. It was fantastic to have such an expert running this course. I had a fun day and left feeling confident I could make soap. I learnt tons from her and am quite keen on another course like the perfume one. Thank you so much Diane!"

Aroma Natural responded:

"Thank you Annie for such a great review. It was a pleasure to teach you all about soap making and share the day with you. You certainly made a great loaf of gorgeous smelling soap which I'm sure you will enjoy using. I would be very happy to teach you how to make a Perfume and look forward to seeing you again. Once again thank you for your kind words and good luck with your soap making in the future. "

Joe Cork reviewed: Two day stone carving course at Chillington Hall

"The 2 days were a great experience! The location, the tools and set up provided, the other craft participants and of course Miranda’s patient and friendly guidance to help even the most novice of people such as myself. Came away with something to be proud of. I would definitely do it again. "

Amerton Arts Studio responded:

"Thanks for your review Joe, glad you enjoyed the weekend. Best wishes Miranda"

Louise Nadim reviewed: MANDALA PAINTING ~ Ancestors

"I enjoyed the course, it was well facilitated, the materials were good and the space and the welcome were excellent. I expected more time decorating our mandalas and being taught more about how to approach this detailed task. However, the sacred geometry and the construction of the shapes was very interesting and I don't regret spending time on it at all. Anne was a brilliant instructor and is very knowledgeable on many aspects of the spiritual nature of mandalas and related practices."

Denmark Farm Conservation Centre responded:

"Thank you for your considered review Louise. We are glad that you enjoyed the course. It was unfortunate that there was not as much time as intended for the painting aspects. I do hope that you can use it as a basis for ongoing exploration of the subject and find time to develop the painting too. Hope to see you again soon. Thanks for joining us and hope to see you again soon. Mara"

David Martin reviewed: Pole Lathing Taster Day

"A lovely day in the woods learning the art of pole turning. Everything was organised to give us maximum time on the elements we individually wanted to do. Blanks for immediate turning were already prepared on the lathes (everyone had their own lathe) plus the opportunity to also use a froe; carving axe; and draw knife later in the day. Although a mainly sunny day, the heavens opened at one point, but the way things were set up, we neither got wet nor had to stop what we were doing. Tuition was mostly on a one-to-one basis, so everyone could work at their own speed. All in all a very enjoyable day out in the woods."

Elena Winterburn reviewed: Cracket Stool made with hand tools for beginners

"It’s a two days course and I find it extremely useful as we were shown how to use simple tools in the right manner. These basic principles are the same whether you do a chair or a shelf or a box. Techniques are very useful but you need a professional to show them to you. What I learnt during two days will remain with me and I would be using the knowledge that Andrew kindly shared for my own projects."

Sam reviewed: Acrylic paint pouring - Learn the art of acrylic paint pouring using a variety of different techniques

"Unfortunately we were late due to awful traffic. Cath was very understanding and didn’t rush us to settle when we arrived. We were made a cuppa and then started a session. We had lots of fun trying different techniques. We were not rushed at all and Cath gave us time to do all the planned activities, rather than bringing the session to an end at the end of the scheduled time. We really enjoyed ourselves and couldn’t recommend this course enough! Thank you!!! 😊"

Sue Cant reviewed: Make a Tiffany stained glass tea light

"Made a fabulous tea light holder. Easy and well communication from Kate. Well stocked studio. "

Martin McAssey Glass responded:

"Thank you for the review."

Fran Lunn reviewed: Drawn to Still Life

"Alison and Liz build your confidence throughout the day and bring out your true potential. I learnt so much with their clear tuition using different mediums and producing a range of designs. I was so pleased with my achievements A wonderful day which went so quickly, I don’t think anyone wanted to put their chalk, charcoal down! All this was done in an amazing barn in wonderful surroundings with like minded people. Lots of tea and delicious treats, what more could you want. 👩‍🎨"

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Dear Fran, Thank you so much for your lovely feedback , the progression in everyone’s work throughout the day was really impressive, you all worked so hard ! Hopefully we have inspired you to continue with the techniques you have learnt at home and your confidence will go from strength to strength. It is always a pleasure to work with you and we look forward to seeing you again! Best wishes Alison and Liz"

Jackie reviewed: Make a Tiffany stained glass tea light

"Really enjoyed the course, Kate was fantastic, easy to understand instructions and plenty of help as needed. Small group size meant that everyone was fully supported. The venue is easy to find with good parking and lovely cafe. Would definitely recommend, worth every penny!"

Martin McAssey Glass responded:

"Thank you for the lovely review."

Klaas Bartelds reviewed: Metal Sculpture Workshop for 1-3 people (1 or 2 Days)

"My son and I booked this course as we wanted more guidance and professional advice to improve the basic knowledge we had on aluminium and stainless steel welding with a TIG welder. Philip tailored the day to our needs and we came away with exactly what we needed. Can't recommend Philip enough and will most certainly use him again in the future. Thanks Philip"

Philip Melling Sculpture, Art & Design responded:

"Thank you for your very kind review Klaas, it was my pleasure to have you both and you’re certainly welcome back for round 2 whenever you have need. Thanks, Philip "

Julie reviewed: "Smoking Dragons"

"What an excellent day course. A nice small group of students. Clear concise instructions and one to one help where needed. Plenty of time for me to work at my slower pace and create something lovely, while faster workers were adding more detail to their creations. A brilliant day."

Pippa Cowin reviewed: Spoon carving taster session

"Thank you Dave for such a brilliant session. You’re a born teacher, explaining and adapting your approach based on our different abilities. Amazing value for money for an introduction to a seriously addictive pastime. "

Fi reviewed: Willow Bird Feeder

"Great morning. Learnt a lot in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Looking forward to booking another course."

Workshops in the Woods responded:

"Glad you enjoyed your self Fi- can’t wait to see you again very soon. Kind regards and thanks for the review Rach"

Mary Luke reviewed: Handmade books - Introductory workshop

"This was a most enjoyable course. Suzy explained everything very clearly and made us feel confident. The books we produced are lovely and I certainly feel confident to make more. I hope to attend another of Suzy's courses. Thank you so much!"

The Leaf Press responded:

"Thank you very much for your review Mary. I'm so pleased you liked the workshop and the books you made were lovely! "

Jayne Clarke reviewed: Circular Sock machine one to one lessons

"A lovely day extending my knowledge of all things knit! A hand knitter of many years who had seen one of the vintage machines on holiday and it intrigued me to have a closer look. Julie was extremely patient and took the time not only to teach me the basics but also a little of the background behind the knitting machine and put up with my frustrations and mistakes. I came away with a pair of socks and two hot water bottle covers that I had made during the day. A course worth trying if you want to try something new and a must if you want to own one of these csm's as it is much easier to learn first hand."

Circular Sock Machine school responded:

"Thank you for such a lovely review. It was a pleasure to meet you and spend the day teaching you about my wonderful vintage machine. Hope one day you can aspire to buying a machine. Speak soon. Julie x"

John reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"I was very pleased to be on this course, having really nil knowledge of the craft. I was made very welcome on arrival and was swiftly installed in the craft shed. Where do you start as a teacher in such a craft? Simon patiently explained about the lathes, tools and wood characteristics. Important aspects to help my understanding about carving, and the effects of the shaping and hollowing tools. Simon is -fortunately for me- patient. I know in his position I would be wanting to step in and correct the clumsy pupil, but full marks to him, the guiding hands are nearby to assist hand direction, posture and tool angles-not forgetting the bevel-leaving the carver with the illusion that he is not totally inept! I had an enjoyable day intermittently refreshed with coffees and biscuits..and at halfway point a well laid out and prepared extensive ploughman's lunch. There is a lot to learn and no pun intended....I know we only had time to scratch the surface in carving knowledge. I know the next step is to get the gear, so I'm expecting to be back some time once I've had a lot more (behind closed door) practice ."

Blended Monkey - pottery - woodturning - green woodworking - pole lathe - throwing responded:

"Hi John, So pleased you enjoyed the day. Do reach out if you have any questions or need any further help. I look forward to seeing you again in the future. — Simon"

Mark & Nicola reviewed: Epoxy Resin Flower Masterclass

"A fun and enjoyable class run by Richard. We found him very informative and knowledgeable in the subject. Would recommend to others as a good introduction into working with resin."

Cath Farrington 👤 reviewed: Resin Cheeseboard & Coaster Workshop

"What a great workshop. I’m not arty at all but came away with a lovely chopping board and coasters. Eunice was excellent at showing us how to do it and I’ll be doing more now. Thank you "

Eunice J. Friend responded:

"So glad you enjoyed the workshop x"

Paula Ann Smith reviewed: Willow Bird Feeder

"It was a really enjoyable course, nice small group. Will look out for more courses as I found willow weaving fascinating and was pleased with the results of what I had made."

Workshops in the Woods responded:

"You did amazingly well Paula-lovely to meet you and hope to see you again soon. Kind regards, Rachel"

Robert Williams reviewed: Kate Morrell willow sculpture courses

"Excellent. Very good hands on teaching, a wealth of resources, lunch and cake too! Highly recommended."